Inventing Middle-Eastern Street Wear

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"More than just a clothing line, BOSHIES is fashion with a purpose :
To reinspire the Lebanese and Arab youth with modern takes on their cultural heritage.
Starting off with a fresh take on the iconic tarboosh hat."

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An Icon of Traditional Masculinity...

In 1826, the tarboosh was adopted across the Ottoman Empire by Mahmud II. It came as an answer to the banned turban, which was deemed out-dated and unpractical. For over a century after that, the tarboosh spread throughout the Middle-East and North Africa. The universal nature of the tarboosh made it an ideal symbol for an otherwise eclectic region. Prominent high-profile leaders, members of the military, and other powerful social male figures took on the tarboosh as a symbol of pride and influence.

Turkey: Sultan Mahmud II (1808-1839)

Turkey: Sultan Abdulmejid I (1839-1861)

Egypt: King Farouk (1936-1952)

Some of these notable people include Egypt's King Farouk and Gamal Abdel Nasser, as well as Lebanon's very own first president, Bechara el Khoury, and former prime minster, Riad el Solh. It was even worn by Turkey's founder, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, in the days of his youth. The post-colonial period brought on a general decline in the wearing of hats as part of daily fashion whether it be in the West or the East. This naturally reflected in the ubiquity of the tarboosh in the Middle East. Today, at least 1 billion inhabitants and 30 countries of this world still have a strong collective culture of the tarboosh.

Tunisia: Habib Bourguiba (1930-1957)

Lebanon: Riad Al Solh (1934-1951)

Egypt: Gamal Abdel Nasser (1937-1952)

...Turned Into an Unisex Fashion Design

Fast forward to the summer of 2016, when BOSHIES' founder Elias began re-designing the tarboosh producing the first prototype of the Boshie hat. With the collaboration of local artisans, these hats were carefully handmade, and featured in storefronts across Lebanon. After the first Boshie hat's initial success, Elias and his team of artisans reinvented the tarboosh yet again, creating a winter Boshie hat, handcrafted out of wool.

Elias then set out to gather feedback from the Lebanese market about his products, taking a look at sales records, customer reactions, and market trends. With this new information in mind, he decided the Boshie hat's design could be made even better. So in 2017, joined by his new partner designer Diane, Elias set to work on a new model for the Boshie hat.

The new design maintains the familiar shape of the tarboosh, with added elements like a rounded top and more defined borders for protection against the sun. The two hand-stitched strands on either side also serve as a throwback to the original tassel. The new modernized Boshie hat now comes in a variety of colors and has broken free the tarboosh from its macho identity. Easy to wear by anyone from all around the world, including both men and women, old and young.

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Our Beanies

As Worn by

Rabih KayrouzLebanese Fashion Designer

Elsa OJewelry Designer

MIKAInternational Pop Singer

Stéphane RollandFrench Haute Couture Designer

Carmen BsaibesLebanese Actress

Ingrid BawabLebanese Singer

Our Community

"Hats are a personal accessory and I don’t wear much unless its something that resonates with me. When I got the Boshies I felt very proud wearing it as it has a deeper meaning. The same goes for the Love حب t-shirt written in arabic and the jog seroual. Its simple design, fun colours, and comfortable feel make it something I can wear on a day-to-day basis. The Lebanese inspired fashion is definitely going to find its way back in a new, hip way and for girls too! I personally love it !"